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Long aims to lure industry

Long County Development Authority discussed establishing guidelines on what incentives could be offered to prospective businesses to help draw them to the industrial park.The matter was among the topic addressed during the development authority’s regular meeting Feb. 27. According to authority member Charlie Smith, when the topic was brought to the attention of county commissioners previously, they opted to address specific situations as they arose.“When a business was prepared to come, commissioners would then look at what type of incentives could be given,” Smith said. “We need to know what we can offer these prospects as incentives, when we begin talking with them.”Authority Chairman Terry Gordon also said he was scheduled to talk to a prospect, and believed the business would want to know about possible incentives before they made any decision.After a brief discussion, it was decided Smith would meet with county attorney Jay Swindell, and find out what tax incentives could legally be offered to a prospect, and would then put a proposal in writing for the authority to review for presenting to county commissioners.Another issue, which was discussed, was setting up a timeline for the completion of the industrial park.“We need a timeline as to when it will be completely cleaned and finished. Right now we have a prospect ready to act, and we can’t give him an accurate date when they can move in,” Gordon said.He noted, “The Industrial Park cleanup process is moving right along, and the county crew is doing an excellent job.” All members concurred the site looks good but said the cleanup needed to be completed and a retainer pond needed to be dug.Gordon said would get with the county maintenance supervisor and find out when the work would be finished.Gordon also reported he had an appointment with Ray Snow to discuss the possibility of obtaining any funding to help with the paving of the road going into the park. There currently is a road entering the industrial park but it is dirt. He also said he spoke with District 19 Sen. Tommie Williams about possible funding for a deceleration lane at the park and he received positive feedback.“I was told we needed a estimate on what it will cost for a D/Cell lane, and I have been working with Billy Smith on this” he said.Also, Gordon reported the Ludowici Train Depot grant for the remodeling of the building is still on schedule, and, “If everything goes right, we may be able to draw on that money for the work as early as April.”Gordon said he and Billy Smith, from Georgia DOT, had attended a community outreach meeting at Hunter/Fort Stewart on Feb. 22 where the Under Secretary of the Army was the keynote speaker.He reported the purpose of the forum was to join the military and all the surrounding municipalities in supporting each other. He also reported said the local military newspaper, The Patriot, would be spotlighting Ludowici and Long County in its April edition.Gordon also said there were three prospects in regards to the industrial park, and welcomed new member Brian Wingate to the authority.